1958 nose job

1960bus · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:04 pm Post subject: 1958 nose job

Well I bit the bullet and bare metalled the nose of my car. I didn't really find anything I didn't expect. The nose has been hit and beaten out and had filler to smooth out. The nose ridge isn't good. Should I replace the nose or start hammering? I was planning on buying a shrinking disc anyway. The nose has some brazing in two places one on the nose ridge and one on the right nostril.

I bought a new nose for a later car but I'd have to add the nostrils to it. Has anyone brought one this bad back from the dead?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I also melted the lead off my headlight revealing a lovely crease. I have a stud welder and slide hammer that will get this straight.

_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

VeloMikey · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Your nose is not that bad. Here is a link on how to make a nose ridge tool. http://youtu.be/CKtOTomWT_o I would knock the headlight bucket out, repair the crease with a hammer and dolly and spot the bucket back in. We are in the same boat, a PO smoothed out my ridge probably to Cal Look it out in the 80s and some genius drilled a dozen holes above my driver's headlight to "pull" a dent.

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'58 Ghia 2387cc with a Berg / Folts 5 Speed

Ghia Build Thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768748

djway3474 · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 11:34 pm Post subject:

I made a nose ridge tool, two part, but I had to make an entire new ridge and weld it in.. I took out both buckets and in my case made new buckets starting with what was available at the time. It winds up being much easier.
Have a blast Very Happy

1960bus · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:53 am Post subject:

I think I'll try to smooth it and make a ridge tool then. If it doesn't work out I can always replace it with the new nose.
_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

Mellow Yellow 74 · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:52 am Post subject:

The nose doesn't look too bad to me - you should be able to fix it with a lot less effort than replacing it
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1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)

technik · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:04 pm Post subject:

bluedot · Samba Member Joined: April 25, 2013 Posts: 439

Replace.

1960bus · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:07 pm Post subject:

I'm going try my shrinking disc and planishing hammers for a couple of days to see how good I can get it. Tig welding in a new nose isn't going to be easy either.
_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

1960bus · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 12:08 pm Post subject:

An hour with a hammer, dolly and shrinking disc and it is slowly coming back to smooth.

_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

CiderGuy · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject:

Very nice work, looking good.
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything

Mellow Yellow 74 · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:07 am Post subject:

1960bus · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:17 pm Post subject:

I had a left side lower fender from wolf parts but they don't make them anymore. I know Danny makes some superb pieces but I thought I'd give it a shot. This is my first Hammerform for the lower right fender I only have hand tools a vice and some scrap mdf. My first test already came out pretty well.

_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

VeloMikey · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:25 pm Post subject:

Excellent work!
_________________
'58 Ghia 2387cc with a Berg / Folts 5 Speed

Ghia Build Thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768748

1960bus · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject:

I need to shrink the edge on the lower part better than I have. I wish I had an oxy acetylene set. I wonder if mapp gas would work.
_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

kgj · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:14 am Post subject:

Hi from the uk too.
I'm no expert but I really like the hammerform idea, thanks for posting.
On your recommendation I think I will get a shrinking disc myself. Please post plenty of photos as I am about to start on the nose of my 58 coupe too.
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1958 coupe

djway3474 · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 1:00 am Post subject:

Very Cool. I made just the nose ridge with a home made tool and I had never shaped a piece of metal before. You should have no problem.

1960bus · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:33 am Post subject:

I got my shrinking disc from stakesys. I bought the small one for a 4.5 inch grinder to get into a tight spot. I think I probably should have bought the bigger one first though for my big grinder as it would be a lot faster.
_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

cracker666 · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:25 am Post subject:

Steaksys and axminster do some decent kit.
look out on the bay for shrinker stretchers they are useful bits of kit.

1960bus · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:57 am Post subject:

Finished panel. I wish I had a shrinker I had to do it by hand tuck shrinking using the. Tucking forks I made.

_________________
Dan

1958 Ghia Vert
1960 RHD Deluxe Microbus
1966 RHD Devon Kombi

Mellow Yellow 74 · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject:

You have done a professional job without professional workshop tools such as a folder, roller and shrinker so well done. I am not familiar with tucking forks - do you use these to "wrinkle" the edge and the hammer and dolly it smooth to shrink?
_________________
1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)


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